Protective construction for lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roofs of buildings, mobile homes, and other dwellings



B. C. BUTLER May 7, 1968 PROTECTIVE CONSTRUCTION FOR LESSENING THE WEIGHT OF ACCUMULATED SNOW LOADS ON THE ROOFS OF BUILDINGS MOBILE HOMES AND OTHER DWELLINGS Filed Dec. 6. 1965 2 Sheets-$heet 1 I J 5 4. 1% W M 6 a 4 4 1 o a 4 Np ME7EMEM? ,k n Ill-l y 5V a A F- W mi Z n m 4 u \\\v\ m ,7 m gmg zi/am W n 7 7}... H Y H6 B n H 7- 2 z, n. M n 4 u n n M NH 6 n 7 F Jm H F I v i 1 I'l a L a 4 4 5 United States Patent 3,381,424 PROTECTIVE CONSTRUCTION FGR LESSENING THE WEIGHT 0F ACCUMULATED SNGW LOADS ON THE ROOFS 0F BUILDINGS, M0- BILE HOMES, AND OTHER DWELLINGS Byron C. Butler, 550 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, Ariz. 85021 Filed Dec. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 511,927 2 Claims. (Cl. 52--83) ABSTRACT OF THE DKSCLGSURE A protective construction for substantially lessening the weight of accumulated snow on the roofs of buildings, mobile homes and the like, wherein a pair of cables are supported under tension at the opposite ends of the roof of the building to be protected and intermediate the ends thereof, the cable supporting arrangement being constructed and arranged whereby the catenary curve portions of the cables between the intermediate and the end supports are relatively shallow. Rigid cross-members comprising laths or slats are supported in spaced relation transversely of the cable, thus forming a slatted canopy over the roof area.

It will be appreciated that in so-called snow belt areas, that is to say, various locations in which relatively heavy snow storms are experienced during the winter season, the depth of accumulated snow may vary from 3' to 12, or more. In addition to the traflic problems involved, together with damage to trees and shrubs, and interruption of normal communication services, the weight of the snow which accumulates on the roofs of buildings is extremely hazardous, not only from the standpoint of structural damage, but more importantly because of potential loss of life in the event of collapse of the roof of a building which happens to be occupied.

The improved protective construction of the present invention for lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roof of a building, for example, a mobile home trailer or the like, comprises essentially, a pair of spaced cables supported at opposite ends of the roof of a home or trailer, and intermediate the ends thereof under tension, in such manner that the catenary curve portions of the cables suspended between the respective end supports and the intermediate support are relatively shallow, and approximately 12"-l8" above the roof of the trailer. Suitable rigid cross-members com-prising laths or slats formed from aluminum, wood, metal or metal alloys, about 8" wide and of a length at least equal ot the width of the trailer, are supported in spaced relation on the cables transversely thereof, approximately 8" between edges, thus fOrrning a slatted canopy over the roof area.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved protective construction for lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roofs of buildings, mobile homes, and other dwellings.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved suspended protective covering for substantially lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roofs of buildings, mobile homes, trailers and the like.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved, suspended protective covering for lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roofs of buildings, mobile homes, trailers and the like, incorporating flexible cables having a plurality of rigid cross-members supported in spaced relation thereon.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved protective covering for substantially lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roof of a dwelling, mobile home, or the like, incorporating flexible cables having rigid cross-members supported thereon in spaced relation, the cables and associated cross-members being supported independently of the dwelling, whereby to form a slatted canopy above the roof thereof, and sub stantially coextensive therewith.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements, comprising my invention, may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical eifect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the protective arrangement of the present invention for lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roof of a mobile home;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line 55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of FIG- URE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a modified protective arrangement for lessening the Weight of accumulated snow loads on the roof of a dwelling or other building.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 3, the suspended protective covering 1 of the present invention, employed for lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roof 2 of a mobile home, dwelling or other building 2a, comprises a pair of vertical, ground-engaging support members 3 disposed at each end of the building to be protected. The support members are vertically aligned in coplanar, parallel relationship with the respective ends of the building and have their upper free end portions 312 extending substantially uniform distances above the roof of the building, while their lower ends are embedded in a suitable concrete footing Be. A pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending flexible cables 4, FIGURE 2, extend between the support members 3 and are slidably mounted within apertures 3a formed in the upper portions of the support members, the cables being suitably tensioned and secured to ground anchors 5, to be described more fully hereinafter. A plurality of transversely extending, spaced, rigid, cross-mernbers 6 are carried by the cables and secured thereto by means of bailing wire 7, or other suitable fastening means (FIGURE 7), to thereby form a slatted canopy.

In order to provide additional support for the slatted canopy, a vertical, ground-engaging support member 8 is disposed on each side of the building intermediate the ends thereof. As will be seen in FIGURE 5, the lower end portion of each support member 8 is embedded in a concrete footing 9, in the same manner as the lower ends of support members 3, as mentioned hereinabove. The upper end portions of the support members 8 are interconnected by means of a reinforcing beam 10, rigidly secured to the support members by bolts or spikes 11, or other suitable securing means.

In order to support the intermediate portion of the slatted canopy at approximately the same distance above the roof as its points of support on the end support members 3, and to also stabilize the canopy against undesired sway due to wind forces, it is anchored to the support members 8 by means of a flexible cable 12. Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, it will be noted that the cable 12 is threaded through the apertures 8a formed in the upper end portions of the supports 8, FIGURE 5, the transversely extending portions 12 of the cable being disposed at opposite sides of one of the slats 6, underneath the canopy cables 4, and secured to the support members 8 under tension by means of cable U-bolts 13. The intermediate support members 8 are further provided with guy wires 14 which are tensioned and secured to the upper end portions of the supports and to suitable ground anchors 15, as shown.

It will thus be seen that the intermediate support arrangement, as above-described performs a dual function; it not only stabilizes the canopy against undesired sway, but also provides necessary support for the intermediate portion of the slatted canopy, whereby the catenary curve portions thereof between the intermediate supports and the end supports are relatively shallow, that is to say, the vertical distance between the bottom of each of the curved portions and the points of support is a minimum when the cable system is tensioned, so that the canopy can be located between 12" to 18" above the upper surface of the roof.

Each of the ground anchors 5 and 15, FIGURE 2, is positioned in aligned spaced relation with its respective adjacent support 3 or 8, and comprises an eyebolt 16 having its shank portion 16 embedded in a concrete footing 17, the lower end of shank portion 16 having a crossbar 18 welded thereto, whereby to enhance the gripping effect of the concrete on the eyebolt. The ends of the cables 4 and the guy Wires 14, FIGURES 3 and 4, are passed through the eyelets 16a of the respective eyebolts 16, and secured under tension by means of U-bolts 19.

While the suspended protective covering has been described for use with a mobile home having a width equal to the length of the slats employed, it will be appreciated that a pair of suspended protective coverings can be placed side-by-side, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, for use with dwellings of increased width.

There are a number of advantages which accrue from the present invention. Among other features of advantage, the protective covering is economical with respect to cost of installation; it is not as unsightly as an A-frame or other arrangement constructed on top of a trailer or dwelling; it can be readily removed during the summer months and replaced in the fall or early winter; the outlets in the roof for the heater used to heat the dwelling and the domestic hot water heater, as well as other vents, are not disturbed by the protective cover, and additionally, in this connection, it has been found that in use, where the hot water vent and the vent for the gas furnace comes through the roof, the heat from these units is captured or retained by the overlying protective cover, and the snow around the units melted for several inches; construction of the protective cover does not add weight to the trailer or building involved; by reason of the space between the cross-members or slats, in conjunction with the intermediate supporting cable arrangement, the cover is stabilized against undesired movement by the wind; and

the improved protective cover lessens the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roof of the dwelling or trailer involved, for the reason that from 50% to or more, of the weight is carried by the cables.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a protective construction of the character described for lessening the weight of accumulated snow loads on the roof of a mobile home, dwelling or other building, at least one pair of vertical, ground-engaging cable supporting members at each end of the building to be protected, said cable supporting members being vertically aligned in coplanar, parallel relationship with the respective ends of the building, and having their free end portions extending substantially uniform distances above the roof of the building, a pair of flexible cables slidably supported on said cable support members at equal distances above the roof, ground anchors positioned in aligned spaced relation with the respective adjacent support, the cables being tensioned and having their ends secured to said ground anchors, whereby the supports are guyed slatted canopy means comprising; a plurality of rigid cross members supported in spaced relation on the cables, and means intermediate of the cable supportin-g members for supporting the central portion of the cables and associated cross members above the roof at substantially the same distance as their points of support on the cable supporting members at the ends of the building, the portions of the cables suspended between the intermediate support means and the support members at the ends of the building to be protected, being of relatively shallow catenary shape.

2. A protective construction according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate support means comprises, a vertically extending member positioned on each side of the building and spaced therefrom, a transversely extending rigid reinforcing member interconnecting the upper end portions of the vertically extending member, and cable means extending between the vertically extending members for supporting the flexible cable means carrying the canopy means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 347,107 8/1886 Howie 256- 1,109,399 9/1914 Butler 52-83 1,508,968 9/1924 Green 160-84 1,655,318 1/1928 Koksma 256-34 1,899,062 2/1933 Steffen 160-84 X 2,118,474 5/1938 Morton 160-84 X 2,415,202 2/1947 Ferguson 52-63 2,571,337 10/1951 Burnham 160-133 X 2,731,927 1/ 1956 McCain 52-83 3,100,950 8/1963 Heuer 160-84 X 3,211,163 10/1965 Gugliotta -5 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiner. 

